A gardener has claimed that a "hassle-free" method for helping us tackle unsightly patches on our lawns works "every time". For anyone chasing a picture-perfect lawn, bare patches can be a real eyesore, but there could be a simple method that makes grass seed germinate "much more reliably".

Richard, the face behind the Sheffield Made Gardens and Sheffield Made Plants channels on YouTube,recently revealed what he described as the "exact way" to ensure gras "grows back in properly". Opening a recent video on the subject, he said: "Have you got a bare patch in your lawn that just refuses to fill in? Well, there are a few simple tricks that make grass seed germinate much more reliably. I'll show you the exact way to do it so it actually grows back in properly. It's a hassle-free method that works for me every time."

He explained that after installing a patio and greenhouse the previous winter, a bare patch of earth was left behind that "snakes around" and requires filling.

Richard said the best time to sow grass seed is in the autumn, but the second best is spring. He advised that it's possible to complete the job in the summer too, but it requires "more effort" as the seeds can dry out more quickly.

Noting that he'd use an all-purpose seed mix, Richard set about the job. He pointed out he'd already tried to make the area level and in line with his patio, but the first job was to remove large stones, fallen leaves, and weeds.

Next, you should gently rake the surface to loosen the topsoil. Simply add some more soil if the ground remains unlevel; Richard advised against using compost, as it can "shrink down" and leave an "uneven finish".

After this, it's time to sow the seed. Richard said: "Now, the trick here is to not go too heavy because cramming too much seed into one spot can actually work against you."

He added: "The seedlings end up competing with each other and none of them do as well as they should." Richard also scattered some of the seed into the existing grass to help the new growth blend in.

Next up was the "most important" step: cover the seed to protect it from birds and boost soil-to-seed contact.

For this step, Richard added topsoil to a garden sieve. He advised that you only give the problem area a "light dusting" or about half a centimetre, noting that large clumps will only hinder the seedlings.

A gentle watering comes next, a "nice soft spray", as Richard puts it. He warned against giving the soil a "blast" to avoid washing the seeds into a single corner. Make sure it's "nicely damp" but not waterlogged.

Richard added: "And then it's just a case of keeping an eye on it and waiting for germination. Now the biggest danger at this stage is the seed drying out. So if you can, water it at least twice a day in dry weather to keep that top layer nice and moist."

You should start to see the first shoots in around a week. When Richard returned to the patch three weeks later, it had transformed, with new growth visible throughout.

He noted that it's normal for the lawn to be somewhat patchy for a couple of months, as it will thicken once you begin mowing the area. Richard warned us to "resist the temptation" to add more seed, unless it remains patchy after a few months.

Finally, Richard explained that the "most important thing" is patience and not letting the area dry out.